Inclinometer



T. S. RIGBY INCLINOMETER Aug. 24, 1937.

Filed Sept. 14, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheec l Inventor and 1937- T. s. RIGBYINCLINOMETER Filed Sept. 14, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 Inventor M Atlorneyd Patented Aug. 24, 1937 Thomas Scott Rigby, Coconut Grove, Fla.

Application September 14, 1936, Serial No. 100,721

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements ininclinometers for aeroplanes and has for its primary object to provide,in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an instrument of this characterembodying a novel construction, combination and arrangement of partsthrough the medium of which the pitch, bank or side slip of a plane willbe immediately and accurately indicated.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an inclinometer of theaforementioned character which will be comparatively simple inconstruction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use,compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of an inclinometer constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the invention.

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on theline 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail view in horizontal section, taken substantially onthe line 55 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises acircular metallic plate I which is: adapted to be secured on aninstrument board or panel 2 over an opening 3. On the front of thecircular plate I is a recessed dial 4 and said plate is further providedwith a vertical slot 5. It will be observed that the dial 4 comprises acomparatively long intermediate horizontal bar 6 (see Figure 1)representing the horizon and above and below which are comparativelyshort horizontal bars 1. 5 The vertical slot 5 passes through the barsor markings 6 and l.

Projecting from the back of the plate I are lugs 8 between which a pairof spaced, parallel, vertical rods 9 extend. Slidably mounted on the 50rods 9 is an indicator carriage l0 having journaled therein a shaft Hwhich projects through the slot 5 and has fixed on its forward end ahorizontal indicator l2 representing the wing of the plane. Dependingfrom the other end of the 55 shaft l l is an apertured lever I3.

(Cl. 33--2l.5)

Also mounted on the back of the plate I and projecting horizontallytherefrom is a substantially U-shaped bracket It having outturned endportions secured to said plate l, as at l5. Journ'aled for rockingmovement in the outer portion of the bracket I4 is a block l5 having aslot ll therein. Traversing the slot I1 is a pin l8 (see Figure 2) onwhich the stem IQ of a pendulum 20 is journaled. It will thus be seenthat the pendulum 26 is mounted for universal swinging movement in thebracket l4. Fixed in the upper end of the pendulum stem l9 andprojecting forwardly therefrom is a finger 2| having its free endportion loosely engaged in the aperture which is provided therefor inthe lever 13.

It is thought that the operation of the instrument will be readilyapparent from a consideration of the foregoing. When the plane istraveling on an even keel the indicator l2 parallels the comparativelylong intermediate bar 6 which, as hereinbefore stated, represents thehorizon, as best seen in Figure l of the drawings. However, should theplane dipthe pendulum 20 will immediately cause the indicator l2 to movedownwardly from the horizon 6 in a manner to apprise the pilot of thecondition. Should the nose of the ship rise, the pendulum 28 immediatelyswings rearwardly for elevating the marker l2. Should the plane bank thependulum 2E3 swings laterally toward the low side, thus moving thefinger 2! laterally in a manner to actuate the lever l3, rock the shaftvII in the slidable carriage l0 and, of course, rock the indicator I2. Asalso hereinbefore stated, the indicator l2 represents the wing of theplane. By comparing the indicator l2 with the bars 6 and l the degree ofbank may be readily ascertained. A skid may be readily detected due tothe fact that the pendulum will swing outward in the direction of theskid.

It is believed that the many advantages of an inclinometer constructedin accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, andalthough a preferred embodiment of the instrument is as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may beresorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An inclinom-eter comprising a plate including a dial, said platehaving a vertical slot therein, rods mounted on the plate, a carriageslidable on said rods, a shaft journaled in the carriage and operable inthe slot, an indicator fixed on one end of the shaft and cooperable withthe dial, a lever on the other end of said shaft, and gravity actuatedmeans operatively connected to said lever for rocking the shaft in thecarriage and for shifting said shaft in the slot.

2. An inclinorneter comprising a plate including a dial, said platehaving a vertical slot therein, a carriage slidably mounted on theplate, a shaft journaled in said carriage and operable in the slot, anindicator fixed on one end of the shaft and cooperable with the dial, alever on the other end of said shaft, said lever having an openingtherein, a bracket mounted on the plate, a pendulum mounted foruniversal swinging movement on said bracket, and a finger mounted on thepivoted end of the pendulum and engaged in the opening in the lever forrocking, raising and lowering the shaft.

3. An inclinometer comprising a circular plate including a dial on oneside, said plate having a vertical slot therein, lugs projecting fromthe other side of the plate, a pair of spaced, parallel rods extendingvertically between the lugs, a carriage slidably mounted on said rods, ashaft journaled in said carriage, said shaft being operable in the slot,an indicator fixed on one end of the shaft and cooperable with the dial,a lever on the other end of the shaft, said lever having an openingtherein, a substantially U-shaped bracket mounted horizontally on saidother side of the plate, a block rookably mounted in said bracket, saidblock having a slot therein, a pendulum pivotally mounted in thesecond-named. slot, and a finger mounted on the pivoted end of thependulum and engaged in the opening in the lever for raising andlowering the carriage and for rocking the shaft in said carriage.

THOMAS SCOTT RIGBY.

